While summer isn’t the only time to implement a grounds maintenance strategy, this time of year certainly offers some of the most favourable conditions for outdoor work. More dry weather, extra daylight, and, in the case of schools, reduced site usage during the holiday period, provide the perfect opportunity to tackle some of the most essential tasks in your outdoor space.

However, the benefits of conducting important maintenance in summer work both ways, and there are certain tasks which should be completed at other times of year too. If you are planning your site for summer works, knowing exactly what to include in your grounds maintenance strategy is key. The following tasks can, and should, form your plan for the coming months.

Line Marking

One of the key tasks that will be conducted as part of summer grounds maintenance is sports field line marking. However, it’s important to note that this will need to be planned long before the summer months, typically at the very start of the year in January and February. The timing of your line marking will depend on key dates like sports day, with reserve dates factored in. Everything needs to be lined up properly alongside pitch cutting/the cutting of running tracks so that your spaces are ready for use during these key events. 

Tree Works

Tree surgery is an important component of a grounds maintenance strategy at any time of year. A large proportion of relevant tree work will usually be conducted in the summer holidays due to the significant benefit of having no staff and students on site. The exact work that needs to be conducted will be guided by the outcome of a thorough tree survey.

Weed Control

Warmer summer temperatures combined with occasional showers create the perfect conditions for rapid weed growth. If untreated, weeds can quickly make your paths, playgrounds and landscaped areas look neglected and possibly dangerous. This means that effective weed control needs to be a priority in any summer maintenance programme. Both regular treatments and the physical removal of the weeds will go a long way towards ensuring invasive plants cannot take over, reducing the time and cost needed to manage problem areas later in the year.

Hedge Cutting

Warm weather and active growth also make this the prime time for hedge cutting. Hedges can really make or break the appearance of your grounds; they also need to be well-maintained to keep pathways and entrances clear and safe. With this in mind, regular trimming as part of your grounds maintenance strategy at this time of year will prevent hedges from becoming overgrown and promote dense, healthy growth throughout the rest of the year.

Landscaping

With hopefully good weather conditions, the benefit of having fewer people on site during the summer holidays, landscaping projects can also be done at this time of year. This is a good time to install new planters, create seating areas and update or repair pathways ahead of the academic year. These projects significantly enhance the appearance and functionality of your grounds, and doing the work at this time of year ensures that any new installations have the best chance to establish and flourish before harsher autumn and winter conditions set in.

Grass Repair

Grass cutting can often take a backseat in the height of the summer. Following a major growth spurt typically starting in April, the warm sunshine can sometimes burn off the grass, allowing for attention to be focused elsewhere. This may provide an opportunity to conduct some repair work to fields and pitches, but the suitability of this will be on a case-by-case basis. For example, if your school has pitches used only for sports like rugby and football, maintenance can be carried out at the end of the season. Multi-functional spaces, like pitches which are turned into running tracks in the summer, can be more challenging. Repairs may need to happen at other times of the year.  

Year-Round Planning 

Even if the bulk of your overall grounds maintenance strategy is scheduled for the summer, don’t forget that work will need to be completed at other times of the year too. In fact, developing a year-round maintenance schedule allows you to build on the work completed in the warmer months and avoid letting small issues escalate into major problems. Use the opportunity to plan for autumn leaf clearance and winter gritting so that your site remains in excellent condition year-round.

If you require any assistance in scheduling and completing a grounds maintenance strategy, please reach out to us at Arborcure. Our experienced team works across Devon & Cornwall and can help you to develop a tailored maintenance schedule and ensure your facilities are in the best possible condition at all times, both in the summer and throughout the year.